KOTA TINGGI: Twenty-five Indonesian illegal immigrants and a local man were detained at Tanjung Lompat beach at about 5.30pm on Sunday (Nov 18) as they were trying to sneak out of the country.

Tanjung Sedili Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Mohd Zulfadli Nayan said those detained were six women and 19 men – all Indonesians – as well as the tekong darat, who is a local. The detained were aged between 18 and 46.

“The operation was conducted following a tip-off after a member of a public,’’ he said in a statement on Sunday (Nov 18).

Mohd Zulfadli said the MMEA has been monitoring the stretch along the Desaru coastline to identity the illegal trails used by the illegal immigrants to leave or sneak into Johor.

He said a syndicate involved in bringing illegal immigrants into the country via Johor made a huge profit charging from RM1,000 to RM3,000 each person.

“We have also identified the mastermind behind the human trafficking activities in the eastern part of Johor,’’ said Mohd Zulfadli

He said that the detainees have being brought to the Tanjung Sedili MMEA to assist with investigations before they will be surrendered to the Immigration Department.

Mohd Zulfadli said this was the fourth case this year where the agency had thwarted an attempt by Indonesian illegal immigrants to sneak out the country.

“My advice to Indonesian immigrants planning to leave Malaysia is to use legal exit points to reach their homeland safely and not by boat in view of bad weather now,’’ he said.